HOSPITAL INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION – CLASS B
BASED ON TITLE 24, CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AND REFERENCED STANDARDS
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Questions
1–12)
Question 1: The California Administrative Code section that governs the certification and
approval of hospital inspectors is found in:
Answer: Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7, Sections 7-200 through 7-207.
Rationale: Title 24, Part 1 of the California Code of Regulations (California Administrative
Code) establishes the requirements for hospital inspector certification. The authority is derived
from Health and Safety Code Sections 18929 and 129675–130070. Hospital construction work
must be continuously inspected by a certified hospital inspector approved by the architect and
engineer in responsible charge, and by HCAI.
Question 2: Under California regulations, a Class B Hospital Inspector may NOT inspect which
of the following?
,Answer: Major structural construction (structural elements).
Rationale: Class B Hospital Inspectors may inspect only architectural, mechanical, plumbing,
electrical, fire and life safety, and anchorage of non-structural elements. Major structural
construction is reserved for Class A inspectors.
Question 3: The minimum experience requirement for the Class B Hospital Inspector Exam is:
Answer: Four years of experience involving Type I or Type II construction projects as a
representative in technical inspection.
Rationale: Class B requires high school graduation or equivalent and four (4) years of
experience involving Type I or Type II construction as an architect's, engineer's, owner's, local
building official's, or general contractor's representative in technical inspection.
Question 4: The California agency responsible for administering the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination is:
Answer: Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), formerly OSHPD.
Rationale: HCAI (formerly the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development – OSHPD)
administers the Hospital Inspector Certification Program, including examinations and
certifications. The Inspection Services Unit (ISU) administers the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination (HICE) and Recertification Examination.
,Question 5: How often must a Hospital Inspector recertify?
Answer: Every three years.
Rationale: All Hospital Inspector Certifications issued by HCAI expire three years from the most
recent certification or recertification examination date. To recertify, inspectors must participate
in a Hospital Inspector Recertification Seminar and pass a Recertification Examination.
Question 6: An applicant with a valid California civil engineer license and two years of
qualifying experience:
Answer: Is eligible for the Class B Hospital Inspector Exam.
Rationale: Possession of a valid California registration/license as a civil engineer and two years
of experience involving Type I or Type II construction qualifies an applicant for the Class B
exam. The same applies to structural, mechanical, or electrical engineers, or licensed architects.
Question 7: The scope of the Class B written certification examination is designed to measure
the applicant's:
Answer: Ability to read and understand construction documents; ability to identify and apply
California Building Standards Code requirements; knowledge of inspector duties; and ability to
communicate in writing.
, Rationale: The examination for Class B Hospital Inspectors will measure the applicant's ability
to read and understand construction documents; ability to identify and understand the
application of various California Building Standards Code requirements; knowledge of
appropriate inspector duties; and ability to communicate in writing.
Question 8: HCAI approval of proposed Hospital Inspectors of Record (IORs) must be obtained:
Answer: Prior to commencement of construction for each specific project.
Rationale: HCAI approval of proposed IORs shall be obtained for each specific project, or
portion thereof, prior to commencement of construction in accordance with Title 24, Part 1,
Section 7-135.
Question 9: A Class C Hospital Inspector may inspect:
Answer: One or more areas of construction specifically, but may not inspect the complete scope
authorized for Class A or Class B inspectors.
Rationale: Class C Hospital Inspectors may inspect one or more areas of construction
specifically, but may not inspect the complete scope of construction authorized for Class A or
Class B inspectors. Class C inspectors are limited to specialty areas such as fire alarm,
plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc.
EXAMINATION – CLASS B
BASED ON TITLE 24, CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AND REFERENCED STANDARDS
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Questions
1–12)
Question 1: The California Administrative Code section that governs the certification and
approval of hospital inspectors is found in:
Answer: Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7, Sections 7-200 through 7-207.
Rationale: Title 24, Part 1 of the California Code of Regulations (California Administrative
Code) establishes the requirements for hospital inspector certification. The authority is derived
from Health and Safety Code Sections 18929 and 129675–130070. Hospital construction work
must be continuously inspected by a certified hospital inspector approved by the architect and
engineer in responsible charge, and by HCAI.
Question 2: Under California regulations, a Class B Hospital Inspector may NOT inspect which
of the following?
,Answer: Major structural construction (structural elements).
Rationale: Class B Hospital Inspectors may inspect only architectural, mechanical, plumbing,
electrical, fire and life safety, and anchorage of non-structural elements. Major structural
construction is reserved for Class A inspectors.
Question 3: The minimum experience requirement for the Class B Hospital Inspector Exam is:
Answer: Four years of experience involving Type I or Type II construction projects as a
representative in technical inspection.
Rationale: Class B requires high school graduation or equivalent and four (4) years of
experience involving Type I or Type II construction as an architect's, engineer's, owner's, local
building official's, or general contractor's representative in technical inspection.
Question 4: The California agency responsible for administering the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination is:
Answer: Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), formerly OSHPD.
Rationale: HCAI (formerly the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development – OSHPD)
administers the Hospital Inspector Certification Program, including examinations and
certifications. The Inspection Services Unit (ISU) administers the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination (HICE) and Recertification Examination.
,Question 5: How often must a Hospital Inspector recertify?
Answer: Every three years.
Rationale: All Hospital Inspector Certifications issued by HCAI expire three years from the most
recent certification or recertification examination date. To recertify, inspectors must participate
in a Hospital Inspector Recertification Seminar and pass a Recertification Examination.
Question 6: An applicant with a valid California civil engineer license and two years of
qualifying experience:
Answer: Is eligible for the Class B Hospital Inspector Exam.
Rationale: Possession of a valid California registration/license as a civil engineer and two years
of experience involving Type I or Type II construction qualifies an applicant for the Class B
exam. The same applies to structural, mechanical, or electrical engineers, or licensed architects.
Question 7: The scope of the Class B written certification examination is designed to measure
the applicant's:
Answer: Ability to read and understand construction documents; ability to identify and apply
California Building Standards Code requirements; knowledge of inspector duties; and ability to
communicate in writing.
, Rationale: The examination for Class B Hospital Inspectors will measure the applicant's ability
to read and understand construction documents; ability to identify and understand the
application of various California Building Standards Code requirements; knowledge of
appropriate inspector duties; and ability to communicate in writing.
Question 8: HCAI approval of proposed Hospital Inspectors of Record (IORs) must be obtained:
Answer: Prior to commencement of construction for each specific project.
Rationale: HCAI approval of proposed IORs shall be obtained for each specific project, or
portion thereof, prior to commencement of construction in accordance with Title 24, Part 1,
Section 7-135.
Question 9: A Class C Hospital Inspector may inspect:
Answer: One or more areas of construction specifically, but may not inspect the complete scope
authorized for Class A or Class B inspectors.
Rationale: Class C Hospital Inspectors may inspect one or more areas of construction
specifically, but may not inspect the complete scope of construction authorized for Class A or
Class B inspectors. Class C inspectors are limited to specialty areas such as fire alarm,
plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc.
